Resolutions should strengthen your life and your community

By ROB WILKINSON

Published 6:00 am, Sunday, January 1, 2012

To the Editor:

The new year is a time for new beginnings! For the Y - a leading nonprofit that strengthens community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility - one of the most important resolutions is to resolve to make positive changes that strengthen individuals as well as entire communities. Following are five New Year's resolutions the Y recommends for 2012:

1. Live healthier - Achieving greater health and well-being is all about taking small steps. Take care of your health by eating nutritious foods and being physically active each day - experts recommend 30 minutes of daily physical activity for adults and 60 minutes for kids. This can be achieved throughout the day by incorporating physical activity into your daily routines (i.e., taking stairs instead of elevators, walking instead of driving, etc.) The Y offers many fun opportunities for individuals and families to be active. Visit www.plainviewymca.org to learn more.

2. Volunteer - Doing good feels good, and giving back to support neighbors benefits everyone involved. Volunteering also provides individuals the opportunity to meet new people and to develop new relationships. Find an opportunity in your community that you may enjoy, such as cleaning your neighborhood park or distributing food at a local food bank. The Plainview Y is always in need of volunteer coaches for our youth sports programs. Call the Y at 293-8319 to find out how you can get involved.

3. Be a mentor - Children and teens often need caring adults to look up to and seek guidance. By nurturing our youth, we can help them strive to accomplish success and reach their full potential. Whether a relative or neighbor, use your experience and talent to help youth realize who they are and what they can be. The Plainview YMCA, in collaboration with the Plainview ISD, offers a mentoring program at the fifth-seventh grade campuses. Learn more at www.plainviewymca.org.

4. Learn something new - Step out of your comfort zone, have fun and grow by exploring personal interests. Is there a swimming, Zumba or spin bike class you've always wanted to take? Try something new that you've always wanted to do, to build your spirit, mind or body. Find opportunities at the Plainview YMCA to expand your horizons.

5. Spend time with family and friends - Socializing is good for your well-being, and spending time with the people you care most about really helps strengthen meaningful relationships. It also helpful to have a community of people you can reach out to during times of need. So, try to carve out time each month, depending on your schedule, to connect with family and friends, and to get involved with community organizations, such as the Plainview YMCA.